politics
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche Addresses Bondi Dismissal and Announces New Fraud Division
Todd Blanche, serving as acting Attorney General, stated he is open to a permanent role if nominated by President Trump following Pam Bondi's dismissal last week. During a press conference, Blanche announced the creation of a National Fraud Enforcement Division to consolidate fraud investigations.
Apr 7, 3:56 PM·2m read2 sources
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Todd Blanche addressed the media on Tuesday as acting Attorney General, expressing willingness to serve permanently if nominated by President Trump. This statement came after Pam Bondi's dismissal from the position last week. Blanche introduced himself in the role during a press conference focused on a new departmental initiative.
Blanche stated that he did not seek the acting position but views any assignment from Trump as an honor. He plans to accompany Bondi to a scheduled event on Wednesday despite her ousting. Bondi's portrait remains displayed throughout the Justice Department building.
Blanche said that nobody knows the reasons for Bondi's removal except President Trump.
He praised Bondi as a trusted friend of the president and highlighted her leadership. The dismissal occurred amid Trump's frustrations that the Justice Department has not prosecuted his political enemies swiftly enough, as previously reported by CBS News.
Trump advisers have discussed potential further changes, including demoting Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward and elevating Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division.
No such moves have occurred, and Woodward attended the press conference. Additional personnel changes remain possible.
announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which will consolidate offices handling criminal fraud in areas such as health care, taxes, benefits, and corporate matters.
The division includes a new prosecutor-led national fraud detection center with data analysts from multiple federal agencies. The center aims to identify actors defrauding federal government programs. The division will accept criminal referrals from the White House, but Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald reports to Justice Department leadership, not the White House.
